Australia decides: Constance opens new uni centre, promises more opportunities for rural students

More than 50 students have already signed up to a new co-learning centre which Liberal candidate for Gilmore Andrew Constance promises will bring more opportunities for rural students.

More than 50 students have already signed up for a new co-learning campus on the south coast which promises to provide more opportunities for rural students learning remotely.

Liberal candidate for Gilmore Andrew Constance labelled the new Ulladulla campus a “bright spark” in the wake of the Black Summer fires and Covid when he helped officially open the centre on Friday.

The Country Universities Centre in Southern Shoalhaven is one of 12 such campuses across eastern Australia, and provides students working remotely a space to study, as well as resources such as exam suites and access to high-speed internet.

Minister for Regional Education Bridget McKenzie was in attendance at Friday’s launch and said that a student’s postcode should not determine their access to higher education.

“We know that students from regional areas are half as likely to obtain a higher education degree than their metropolitan peers,” Ms McKenzie said.

“Our government’s Regional University Centres program removes barriers for regional and remote students to access quality education opportunities and is an important step towards changing the narrative for our students.”

Pictured at Batemans Bay on the NSW south coast is outgoing local member Andrew Constance who is moving on from state politics to run for a federal seat. Batemans Bay residents will be voting this weekend at the Bega by-election. Picture: Richard Dobson

Ms McKenzie said the official opening of CUC Southern Shoalhaven will deliver more opportunities for school-leavers and those seeking to re-skill.

“Some of the most popular areas of study include health and education, and these critical skills will address skills shortages which are vital for the region’s Covid recovery and future prosperity,” Ms McKenzie said.

The opening comes only weeks out from the yet-to-be-announced federal election date.

In a Facebook video, Mr Constance praised the partnership between the State and Federal Governments, as well as between the Liberal and National parties.

“If you can have 50 people in here in the heart of Ulladulla, learning careers that are going to set them up for their future, that’s the exciting part of (our partnership),” he said.

“This is a good demonstration of what The Nationals and the Liberals can do together.”

The former member for Bega will square off with Labor’s Fiona Phillips when voters go to the polls later this year.

The Ulladulla campus opened to students in December 2022, and has received $785,000 in funding from the State Government under the Regional University Centres program, as well as another $1.27 million.

The centre has so far accepted students studying at 16 institutions across Australia to undertake study via distance, but is eager to accept more, according to Chair of the CUC Southern Shoalhaven Board, Wayne Dedden.

“We want more people in and around southern Shoalhaven to remain in their local area, study successfully and develop the skills and qualifications that will help them secure local jobs,” Mr Dedden said.